August 29, 200718 yr I mean the trend in Iraq is one group goes down, another quickly rises up but this is certainly worthy of a thumbs up. BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Anti-American Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has ordered a suspension of his Mehdi Army militia for up to six months for restructuring, a senior aide said Wednesday. Iraqis carry the coffin of a pilgrim killed in Karbala clashes during a funeral Wednesday in Najaf. The move follows battles in Karbala and other cities between the Mehdi Army and Badr Organization, the armed wing of the Supreme Islamic Council of Iraq -- hostilities that left more than 50 people dead and scores injured. Hazem al-Araji, who read the cleric's order on Iraqi state TV, said it applies to all members of the fighting force. "For the sake of public interest, we have decided to issue the following: Suspend the Mehdi Army, with no exception, for a maximum of six months starting from the date of this release, to restructure it in a way that would preserve its ideological principles," al-Araji said. He announced three days of mourning and the closing of all of al-Sadr's offices for the same period of time to condemn the events in Karbala. That three-day period begins Thursday. He also called for an investigation into the Karbala fighting. Watch clashes amid crowds of pilgrims in Karbala ? In response, Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, a U.S. military spokesman, said, "We have always said we welcome those who want to participate positively in the future of Iraq." He added that "U.S. forces welcome anyone and any leader who attempts to bring down the violence and rein in criminal behavior." Don't Miss Iran demands answers after U.S. arrests Split decision for officer in Abu Ghraib case Al-Sadr calls for calm after Shiite militias clash The suspension order raises questions about how much weight al-Sadr's decree will carry with the factions aligned with his fighting force. The cleric has openly opposed violent actions before. On Tuesday, he called for calm and urged his followers not to attack rivals' offices. But observers suspect many Mehdi Army fighters are more radical than al-Sadr. The U.S. military, when announcing arrests of Mehdi Army fighters, often refers to them as "rogue" members. A top Iraqi official used that terminology Wednesday discussing the fighting in Karbala. Mowaffak al-Rubaie, Iraq's national security adviser, said the hostilities were spurred by "rogue" elements of the Mehdi Army and other "extremists" who want to bring down the government. "And we have started to clean the Iraqi security police and the army from those elements that have infiltrated the police in particular," he said. Al-Rubaie said both Shiite and Sunni extremists are working to undermine a "national reconciliation" government. He said Iraqi security forces are in control in the aftermath of the fighting in Karbala, where hundreds of thousands of Shiite pilgrims converged to commemorate the birthday of the revered historic 12th imam. The clashes prompted the evacuation of many pilgrims, who fled to places such as Hilla and Najaf, prompting authorities to impose security measures, including a stiff daytime curfew in Karbala. Hostilities between Shiites extended to other regions, such as Baghdad and Babil, where attackers torched at least 10 Supreme Islamic Council of Iraq offices. Eleven people, at least five in Baghdad and at least six in Babil, were killed. Al-Rubaie called the suspension of the Mehdi Army "good news" if it turns out to be true. "We want to see it happening on the ground," he said.
August 29, 200718 yr Sounds good, but unfortunately his group is far from the only one participating in violent activities.
August 30, 200718 yr I suppose this is good news... they're suspending it to restructure to make sure they can kill even more people in the future. Yup, great news!
August 30, 200718 yr Author I suppose this is good news... they're suspending it to restructure to make sure they can kill even more people in the future. Yup, great news! I hate it too when my country decimates an orgization dedicated to killing US troops. I'm all for a phased withdrawal but I find it funny that some of the opponents of the world absolutely refuse to acknowledge anything good about this war. "Bring the troops home! They deserve better!" Yet, an organization that has attacked and kills our troops is now on the run and you're upset. Gee, I wonder where the conservatives get the ammo to say that liberals don't want their country to win.
August 30, 200718 yr you know, i should have read that better. i interpreted as they are kind of stopping now so they could gear up for another fight. but, of course, "restructuring" means they got their asses handed to them. sorry, i misunderstood.
August 30, 200718 yr Restructuring? Are they doing like the US did under MacArthur....horses to Jeeps.....I don't think so.
August 30, 200718 yr I suppose this is good news... they're suspending it to restructure to make sure they can kill even more people in the future. Yup, great news! I hate it too when my country decimates an orgization dedicated to killing US troops. I'm all for a phased withdrawal but I find it funny that some of the opponents of the world absolutely refuse to acknowledge anything good about this war. "Bring the troops home! They deserve better!" Yet, an organization that has attacked and kills our troops is now on the run and you're upset. Gee, I wonder where the conservatives get the ammo to say that liberals don't want their country to win. By the way, I'm no liberal. I am pretty moderate, actually.
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